Concordia New York Trip 2026

Six Politics students from London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), alongside two students from Highgate School, spent the final week of September on a trip to New York City. Generously sponsored by George Logothetis and Libra Philanthropies as part of Libra Philanthropies’ Rising Global Leaders programme, the cohort was granted direct access to high-level international policy discussions and talks with global leaders. Blending rigorous academic immersion with the iconic, bustling sights of Manhattan, the trip offered these young scholars the opportunity to hear international leaders discuss global issues.

For the students, the excitement and anticipation began long before they ever boarded their transatlantic flight. The prospect of attending a major global summit in America had generated an incredible buzz around the school corridors.

"When I started studying politics, the New York trip was the thing everyone was asking about; from September, people wanted details," recalls LAET student Daniel. Recognising the gravity of the chance, he added, "I knew I was going to try my best to get onto the trip because it sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

His peer, Zeynep, echoed this fierce determination, noting that the selection process itself pushed them to elevate their academic work. "When I found out about a trip to New York, I was really excited, since I’ve never had the opportunity to go on a trip of this nature," she shared. "So, I spent time researching my topic for my essay and constructed the best possible response I could to be considered for the trip." Zeynep’s essay, which secured her place on the trip, addressed the topic of  “The impact of AI on politics”. She wrote about AI’s ability to impact women’s health in policymaking and delved into how AI could diminish research into women’s health, leading to legislation that isn’t appropriately catered towards women’s needs.  

The centrepiece of the visit was the Concordia Annual Summit. Known as one of the premier non-partisan global affairs forums, it is held concurrently with the United Nations General Assembly. Established to foster public-private partnerships, the summit convenes heads of state, global CEOs, NGO leaders, and policy experts to tackle the world's most urgent political, humanitarian, and economic challenges.

Attending the summit gave students the chance to hear discussions firsthand, and they suddenly found themselves sharing space with international dignitaries. Daniel noted, "It felt like I had sort of been catapulted into the possibilities of what I could be doing later in life."

The sessions helped students connect their classroom studies with current political debates, moving politics from the pages of a textbook directly into the real world. "It was super interesting to hear the process of decision-making that global leaders take," Zeynep observed. "For instance, hearing a talk from the former Prime Minister of Poland on relations with NATO and its links back to their history was a perspective I’ve never thought about before."

For Daniel, seeing figures he had previously only studied on a screen was a memorable moment. "It was especially surreal seeing the Prince of Iran, who I had been watching YouTube videos about and researching months before I even knew he would be at the conference," he explained. Grasping the magnitude of the room, he added, "Often with these types of things, you don't realise how great it was until after, but I could tell in the moment that it was truly something special... In a nutshell, it felt like I was getting a momentary glimpse of the top of the career mountain."

While the summit halls were packed with influential statespeople and industry pioneers, another highlight came outside the conference walls. In the scenic surroundings of Bryant Park, the students had the chance to meet Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was in the city attending the UN General Assembly.

"It was probably one of the highlights of my trip," Zeynep reflected with admiration. "She’s such an incredible representative of a powerful activist for women’s rights. Her story is jaw-dropping, so it was amazing to get to meet her in person to truly grasp how strong she is."

The encounter left a lasting impression on the cohort’s views regarding youth advocacy and their own potential. Daniel noted how the meeting demystified the concept of global leadership. "I would say it took me a while to realise the rarity of what had happened; after spending a day around billionaires and businessmen, I felt for a minute as if this was just the reality of my life now," he said. "On a screen, it feels very otherworldly to see people your age becoming such famous figures for monumental positive causes, but after meeting her, it became apparent she is a person above anything else, and getting to that stage is a very real possibility for anyone who has the right 'why' and enough determination."

Outside the rigorous schedule of panel discussions and networking events, the group immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of New York City. Impeccably organised by the staff, the itinerary ensured the students experienced the best of the city's landmarks.

"When you get into the city, I feel like everyone has that moment where they feel like they are on a movie set," Daniel remarked, praising the balance of the trip. "Even though we had such limited time, it didn't feel rushed... My favourites were the Natural History Museum, having free time to explore both uptown and Greenwich, eating great food, and being in Central Park."

Zeynep was equally captivated by the scale and history of the city, particularly enjoying the green spaces and iconic monuments. "Two of my favourite moments were riding the Staten Island ferry and visiting Central Park," she said. "I’ve never seen a park as huge as Central Park. It had a huge lake in the middle, where people were on canoes." Catching sight of America's most famous monument from the water was another standout memory: "We got to see the Statue of Liberty as the ferry was driving by. It's such a popular landmark with an interesting history and meaning."

From scavenger hunts near Fifth Avenue to a dazzling Broadway performance of The Great Gatsby and authentic pre-theatre pizza at John's of Times Square, the cultural itinerary perfectly complemented the academic focus of the summit.

After concluding their final sessions at Concordia and enjoying a celebratory group dinner, the cohort packed their bags for the overnight flight home. They returned to London not just with photographs and souvenirs, but with new perspectives on politics and possible future careers.

This unforgettable journey was made possible thanks to the generous support of George Logothetis, Libra Philanthropies, and the brilliant connection facilitated through Highgate School. For the students in attendance, the trip provided unparalleled insight and motivation, proving that with the right opportunities and determination, the global stage is well within their reach.